56

THE ASHTABULA DISASTER.

CHAPTER VIII.

CAKE OF THE SURVIVORS.

N engine house stood on the bank. It was

the place where water was pumped fromthe river to the tank, at the depot buildings. Itwas a little brick building with a stone floor anda large boiler and engine occupying the middleof the room. Into this building, the woundedwere taken, and were laid on the cold, dampfloor,—a ghastly throng. As citizens came, theyfound them there, suffering from the cold as wellas from the shock and wounds. The effort wasmade to take them to places of more comfort, butwhere to take them was the question. Xo one wasthere at the time to command. A few men werethere to assist; some were there to plunder, andmore had come not knowing for what they came.A long, weary flight of steps led from the gorgeto the track above. Up this flight the wounded